Facing tough economy, some turn to eBay
NEWTOWN -- With the economy in poor shape, residents of one of the wealthiest cities in Connecticut are searching for ways to increase the depth of their wallets.
Some are turning to eBay to help regain the money they've paid at the gas pump.
Kerri Cartelli, a stay-at-home mother of four from Newtown, started selling on eBay in 2003, after she had her third child.
Armed with a new digital camera her husband gave her, she began listing and selling children's clothing online.
Cartelli, who was a public school teacher in the Bronx before becoming a mother, decided to take an eBay certification course to put her teaching skills back in use.
"The greatest thing about eBay for me as a mom was that I didn't have to do it that day," Cartelli told the more than 50-person crowd that showed up for the first of two eBay selling seminars she gave last month at C.H. Booth Library.
One of the most attractive qualities of eBay is that sellers and buyers can post and purchase items 24 hours a day, which allows people to work around their hectic schedules and as frequently or infrequently they choose.
In fact, 1.3 million sellers worldwide use eBay as a primary or secondary source of income, Cartelli said.
The flexibility and convenience of eBay, as well as the ability to make a high profit, are some of the major reasons Cartelli continues to sell on eBay.
She said she posts her items and corresponds with buyers on her laptop
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while her children are in bed. She does all her eBay work at night, except taking pictures of items she wants to sell, which she does during the day because her children enjoy watching her do it.
She said the first words from her older children when they get home from school are often about whether she sold anything online that day.
Besides teaching the basics of how to set up a seller account, receive and make payments, list items and ship them, Cartelli used the two-hour seminar to dispel myths and fears people have about selling online.
"If you put it for $1 and someone bids on it, you have to sell it," unless you list a reserve price," Cartelli said. "You need to know what you are willing to let it go for."
People of all ages attended the free seminars sponsored by the library. Three sisters who are home-schooled asked about selling historical dresses and homemade jewelry.
Elderly couples came to learn how to make some money during their retirement years. Working and single mothers showed up to find out how to earn extra money during their free time.
She assured people they will not have their identities stolen. Everyone is asked the same questions when they register, including their checking account information if they sign up for PayPal.
PayPal is a service that allows people to have money taken out of or deposited in their checking accounts, to avoid the hassle of sending money orders or personal checks.
"Don't panic when you put in your checking account (number). There's no one watching ... It's 2008," she said. "It's fun. Enjoy it -- don't panic."
"We go to church and drink the wine. I don't know where that cup's been!" she told the crowd, causing laughter to erupt throughout the room.
One important thing Cartelli emphasized is that eBay and PayPal will never send e-mails. All correspondence is done within the Web site, except PayPal notifying that money has been deposited in a checking account.
So never click on a link and enter personal information, she warned. Always go to eBay.com and sign in to check messages.
Another facet of eBay is the "Buy it now" feature, which allows people to purchase an item for a set cost instead of entering a bidding war with other online shoppers.
"Now people can actually go to sleep, knowing they win," Cartelli said.
To list an item as a "Buy it now," sellers need to have previously bought or sold 10 items, she said.
"Once you do it a few times, you will be like 'Why didn't I do this before?"
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For more information, check out www.ebaycomprehensive.com or call (203) 426-4533.
Contact Melissa Bruen at mbruen@newstimes.com
or (203) 731-3350.
eBay tips Sellers Ship items only after payment has cleared. Get tracking numbers or delivery confirmation for all parcels. Document all eBay sales with receipts, proof of delivery, etc. Everyone Keep passwords complex and unique with numerals and letters. Never provide your password or other personal information. Never buy or sell an eBay item offline. Use My Messages (in My eBay) for all eBay correspondence. Buyers Always check seller feedback. Never wire or send cash. Source: "The Basics of Selling on eBay" Source>>>